BERNICE I. GATES

Mrs. Bernice I. Gates, 90, of the Illinois Veteran's Home in Quincy, formerly of Bushnell, Illinois, died at 1:55 a.m. Wednesday (July 1, 2009) at the Veteran's Home.

Born October 10, 1918 in Colchester, Illinois, Bernice was the daughter of Thomas H. and Nina Holt Stone. She married John A. Gates on May 4, 1947 in Hiawatha, Kansas. He preceded her in death on January 21, 1972.

Bernice was a graduate of Colchester High Scool and a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Bushnell, Illinois. She loved to paint, do ceramics and play bingo. Bernice served her country in the Army during WWII in the 62nd WAC Hospital Company.

Bernice was employed as a physical therapy aid at McDonough District Hospital for 27 years until her retirement in 1985.

Survivors include two sons, John Michael Gates and his wife Ellie of Quincy, Thomas Patrick Gates and his wife Janice of Macomb; two grandchildren, Timothy and Sarah Gates; five step grandchildren Cindy Seest and her husband Jim, Tia Farran, Dan Farran, Heather Siebers, and Beckie Todd.; Nine step great grandchildren, Michael and Alyssa Todd, Shannon Lesene and her husband Brandon, Richard Russell, Kaitlyn Farran, Tiara Hoing, Anthony Farran, Jayleen Golston and Teriss Farran; and one step great great grandchild Tessa Lesene. Also surviving is one brother Ernice Stone and his wife Marlene of Galesburg, IL; three sisters Doris Curless of Macomb, Norma Stone on Springfield, IL and Dorothy Miller of Oceanside, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Cathy Sue Gates, two brothers George and Henry Stone and one sister Emma June Endsley.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home with Rev. George Tomko and Rev. Roger Curless officiating. Burial with Military Honors by Payson VFW Post 2061 will be in the Burton Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Friday afternoon from 12:30 until time of services at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home Activity Fund.